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NDSCS men's basketball player dead following a weekend shooting

FARGO – A North Dakota State College of Science men’s basketball player died following a shooting over the weekend, the school confirmed Monday.

Frederick Joseph, 19, was shot in the parking lot of a fast food restaurant early Sunday morning in Lafayette, La., and later died, the Daily Advertiser newspaper reported. Local police are investigating the shooting.

Joseph was a freshman guard for the Wildcats last season, playing in all 31 games. Joseph, from New Iberia, La., planned to return to NDSCS for his sophomore season.

“This is a tragic incident that goes well beyond basketball,” said NDSCS head men’s basketball coach Stu Engen, who was recently hired. “We’re saddened for his family and their loss.”

While Engen hadn’t coached Joseph, the two had several conversations on the phone talking about the upcoming season.

“I found him to be very polite and very eager to talk to recruits and help my transition,” Engen said.